Country before IPL: Dilshan

Tillakaratne Dilshan has stood behind Sri Lanka Cricket, saying "playing for the country was much more important than playing the IPL." Dilshan felt that with a new set-up (himself as the new captain and new coaches), it made sense to have some time together ahead of a major tour.

"Personally, I am not unhappy to return early," said Dilshan.

"Playing for my country is more important than playing the IPL. I think everybody selected for the England tour will be happy to come early. We have a new interim coach [Stuart Law] and a new batting coach [Marvan Atapattu]. I am also new as captain. We need to prepare together to build up for the big England tour."

Dilshan said he was prepared for the challenges of captaincy, but wouldn't necessarily be toning down his aggressive style of batting.

"I'm a bit aggressive. Perhaps I will sometimes change my style a bit. But I might play with it (aggressiveness) even as a captain," he said.

"Captaincy is a challenging role for me. It's a dream come true. I never expected it," he continued.

"I want to give it my best shot. I have played for nearly 12 years. It's been a very long journey to the top."

Along with re-affirming his commitment to his country above everything and also taking on more responsibility, Dilshan has also decided to tone down his flashy image before taking charge of the team as full-time captain.

"Times have changed. I pierced my ear when my daughter cried when her ears were being pierced," he said.

"Now I don't see a need to wear the earring. The same with my hair. It was fashionable then for me, it's not so now."

How the drama between the BCCI and SLC will eventually play out is still not clear though. Before the IPL, SLC had signed a No Objection Certificate with its players that would allow them to take part till May 20, which meant they would have only missed 8 days of the tournament that is scheduled to end on May 28.

Sri Lanka's tour to England though, starts with a warm-up game on May 14 and with a new team in place, it is unlikely that SLC will not want all players to be present, even though the BCCI has requested them to allow their players to continue till the originally scheduled date of May 20.

"The BCCI has asked us to reconsider our decision, but we have not changed our stand," SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga said. "We did sign a no-objection agreement with the players to play in the IPL. But there was no date to return. I am sure the BCCI will understand country must come first before IPL."